Feature Article Contribution of Biological Resources Research to the Stabilization and Increase of Production of Main Crops Tsuguhiro Hoshino Director, Biological Resources Division, JIRCAS

1. Background and importance of biological resources S. litura has not been identified yet, research soybean lines with a higher resistance Human beings had succeeded in producing enough food will be obtained through back-cross­ by using natural resources hitherto. However, due to the rapid ing by pyramiding of moderate resis­ growth of the population, many developing regions in the tance genes. Moreover, breeding re­ world are now faced with the need to utilize land with major search for improving nutrient quality constraints on crop cultivation as well as to increase and sta­ and disease resistance was initiated bilize agricultural production through methods compatible in Brazil. New rice and soybean cul­ with the preservation of the environment. Agricultural tech­ tivars with superior characteristics nologies that optimize the use of biological resources will will be developed by the utilization play an important role in determining whether these objec­ of indigenous genetic resources. tives can be achieved. In response to these concerns, the Bio­ Basic research for the application of advanced technology logical Resources Division is placing considerable emphasis is being promoted in Tsukuba to support overseas research on collaborative on-site breeding research in foreign coun­ activities and to develop new technologies for the future. Mo- ( • tries and on biotechnology in Tsukuba. lecular biotechnological methods have been recently utilized to study the tolerance to environmental stresses such as 2. Current activities drought, salinity and freezing in higher plants. In particular, JIRCAS is currently engaged in collaborative projects with the researchers are determining how to use genes and regula- 3 international centers supported by the CGIAR. At the Inter­ tory factors for the production of transgenic crops tolerant to national Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) environmental stresses. A number of genes involved in stress in Mexico, doubled haploid breeding method has been ap­ tolerance were isolated using Arabidopsis thaliana and cow- plied for enhancing breeding efficiency. This is because the pea plants, and regulatory factors for the expression of these artificial production of haploid plants followed by chromo­ genes were analyzed for stress response. Many genes for tran­ some doubling is the quickest method for developing homozy­ scription factors, controlling the expression of the stress tol­ gous breeding lines from heterozygous parental genotypes in erance genes, have been also isolated. Regulatory elements a single generation. Different sources of resistance genes to in promoters were identified that control stress-responsive fusarium head blight are being mapped using RFLP and SSR gene expression. Using the genes for transcription factors and markers. In cooperation with the International Rice Research the stress-responsive promoters, multi-stress tolerance to Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, studies on rice blast resis­ freezing, drought and salinity was improved in transgenic tance have enabled to identify rice blast resistance genes in Arabidopsis as a model. The existence of similar regulatory IR varieties (see related article on page 7). The collaborative systems has been reported in other crop plants such as rice, research on interspecific hybridization between the African tobacco and cowpea. ( and Asian rice species ( Oryza glaberrima and 0. sativa) has Such studies may lead to the development of commercial been initiated at the West Africa Rice Development Associa­ crops capable of withstanding potentially damaging environ­ tion (WARDA). Studies on the genetic and eco-physiologi­ mental stresses, thereby contributing to mitigating problems cal characterization of the interspecific progenies are being relating to the food crisis and environmental degradation in Cai.Tied out with emphasis placed on tolerance to drought and developing countries. acid soil conditions in West Africa. In China, breeding research projects have started for the 3. Orientation of activities in the future evaluation of genetic resources and development of novel In developing countries, cooperation for biological re­ breeding materials of rice and soybean. Through the projects, sources research should be further promoted through consor­ elite germplasm will be selected from the abundant indig­ tia and networks with advanced research units worldwide. enous germplasm for the development of disease and insect Therefore, JIRCAS plans to strengthen its activities in close pest resistance. In soybean production in tropical and sub­ collaboration with CGIAR centers for the evaluation of ge­ tropical ai.·eas, one of the major problems is the damage caused netic resources and breeding methodologies. Through the by insects, espe­ use of genetic resources and application of biotechnological cially Spodoptera procedures, collaborative breeding projects should be imple­ litura Fabricius. mented in various countries in order to develop new varieties Since highly resis­ of rice, soybean and wheat characterized by high yield po­ tant germplasm to tential and resistance to various diseases and environmental stresses. These new varieties should contribute to the increase Wheat and corn in and stabilization of agricultural production with lower inputs CIMMYT field in the developing countries.

2 - ..... JIRCAS Research Highlight Detection of Bruchid-Resistant Strains in Wild Adzuki Bean Germplasm Yoshinobu Egawa, Katsuyuki Kohno, Keiichi Takahashi, Norihiko Tomooka", 2 3 4 Somsong Chotechuen* , Ithnin Bujang'' and Yoichi Tateishi* Okinawa Subtropical Station, JIRCAS, *National Institute ofAgrobiological Resources, *2Chai Nat Field Crops Research Center, Thailand, *3 Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia, *4University of the Ryukyus

Adzuki bean, Vigna angularis var. angularis (2n=22, 2x) We plan to examine this aspect for these three wild species. considered to have originated in East Asia is one of the most V hirtella is distributed in India (Assam, Bengal), Myanmar, familiar legumes for Japanese people. This bean is cultivated Thailand, Indo-China, South China and Malaysia and the for the preparation of various forms of foods including "anko" strains examined by us were collected in the northern part of (sweet bean jelly), "seki-han" (steamed rice with red adzuki Thailand under a JIRCAS project. Cross-compatibility of V bean), etc. Adzuki bean belongs to the subgenus Ceratotropis hirtella with adzuki bean was high and we have successfully

of the genus Vigna. This subgenus is divided into two groups obtained fertile F 1 hybrids between them (Photo 3). We are

morphologically and phylogenetically, adzuki bean group and now backcrossing the F 1 hybrids with adzuki bean to develop mungbean group. It is known that several wild relatives bruchid-resistant lines with a combination of feeding test by (germplasm) belonging to the adzuki bean group occur in Asia. adzuki bean weevil. Wild form of V umbellata is distributed ( Wild germplasm should be considered to be primary and sec­ widely in northern Thailand and several accessions have been ondary gene pools for the breeding of cultigens. Wild collected under the JIRCAS project. Hybridization between germplasm, however, is now confronted with gradual extinc­ adzuki bean and V umbellata was impossible. V minima var. tion due to the disturbance of the natural habitat by recent minor was, however, cross-compatible with both adzuki bean widespread land clearance for the construction of roads and and V umbellata, and could be used as a bridging species for buildings. Against this background, we collected wild adzuki gene flow between them. To develop resistant lines of adzuki bean germplasm in Southeast Asian countries (Photo 1). bean, we plan to transfer the resistance gene(s) of V umbellata Adzuki bean weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis) causes first to V minima var. minor by backcrossing this species re­ serious damage to adzuki bean, mungbean and cowpea seeds currently to the hybrid between V minima var. minor X V during storage (Photo 2). One accession of wild progenitor umbellata, and then incorporate the resistance to adzuki bean species ofmungbean (V radiata var. sublobata), TC1966, is by crossing with V minima var. minor (which has become known to exhibit a complete resistance against C. chinensis. resistant). Geographical distribution of V trinervia ranges However, since there is a reproductive isolation between from Madagascar, through South India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar adzuki bean and mungbean, it was impossible to incorporate and Indonesia, to Papua New Guinea and we have success­ the resistance from TC1966 to adzuki bean through conven­ fully collected a large number of accessions from Peninsular tional crossing procedures. Therefore, we examined the ac­ Malaysia. Cross-compatibility of V trinervia with adzuki bean cessions of wild adzuki bean germplasm including V has not yet been analyzed. angularis var. nipponensis (wild progenitor of adzuki bean), Generally, exploration and collection of wild germplasm V nakashimae, V nepalensis, V minima var. minor, V hirtella, are a time-consuming and difficult task, and there is little or V umbellata and V trinervia, etc. to detect the occurrence of no information available about potentially useful character­ bruchid-resistant strains within them. istics which it harbors. Considering the genetic erosion that Based on feeding tests by adzuki bean weevil, V hirtella, occurs rapidly on a worldwide scale, it is important to collect V umbellata and V trinervia exhibited a resistance against wild Ceratotropis species from the areas covering their wide the infestation with C. chinensis although other species were range of geographical distribution and evaluate and preserve highly susceptible. It was reported that the resistance exhib­ them as genetic resources. ited by TC1966 was controlled by a single dominant gene.

Photo 3: Hybrid plant between V. hirtella and Photo 1: Collection of wild adzuki bean Photo 2: Infestation with adzuki bean weevil adzuki bean, showing that germplasm in Peninsular Malaysia ( Callosobruchus chinensis) the F, fertility is high

3 JIRCAS Research Highlight Surface Analysis of Starch Granules Tamao Hatta, Seiko Nemoto and Keiji Kainuma * Environmental Resources Division, JIRCAS *Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN)

Surface-sensitive analytical techniques, AFM (Atomic The results of application of AFM and XPS for the char­ Force Microscopy) and XPS (referred to as either X-ray Pho­ acterization of the surface structure of starch granules is pre­ toelectron Spectroscopy or ESCA: Electron Spectroscopy for sented in this paper. Data on AFM imaging and detailed XPS Chemical Analysis) have been developed in many fields. With spectra of starch had not been reported hitherto. The detailed AFM, imaging of nearly any surface can be achieved by structure of the starch surface observed by AFM is shown in atomic force under vacuum, air and solution conditions and Fig. 1a . This is the first time that the rough surface structure surfaces can be observed during reactions. XPS is used for of a potato starch granule was studied by AFM. We observed the characterization of electron structure, chemical binding a cavity, presumably hilum, less than 1 µmin diameter. After state, and alteration process of the area near surface (less than embedding potato starch in paraffin, sample specimens were 5 nm in thickness) of solid. A large number of recent studies prepared by cutting with a microtome and the linear structure on the mechanisms of rock weathering, mineral dissolution, of the inner part of the granule was observed at the molecular soil genesis and desertification have been repo1ted using AFM level (Fig. 1b ). (SPI3800+SPA300, Seiko Instruments Inc.) and High­ Considering the electron shell in relation to the molecular Resolution XPS (ESCA300, Gammadata-Scienta AB) in our structure, we analysed the electronic state of the starch gran­ laboratory. Recently, AFM and XPS have been applied to a ule using XPS as chemical structural probe. The narrow spec­ wide variety of materials. tra of Cl s orbital of potato starch and waxy com starch were measured compared with those of several saccharides (Fig. 2). The Cls photopeak of starch is characterized by the pres­ ence of a chemical shift with a small peak at the low binding energy site. To examine this peak, the amorphous precipitate was prepared by gelatinization of native crystalline starch. The peak at the low energy site disappeared in the Cl s spec­ trum of the amorphous product as anticipated. Consequently, it was revealed that the specific photopeak of starch corre­ sponds to the three-dimensional structure of the crystal in ref­ erence to the double helix structure of starch. Investigations of the atomic structure and binding state of crystals of starch and saccharides using AFM and XPS have just been initi­ ated.

3000 ESCA narrow spectra Fig. I. AFM images of a potato starch. (a) A granule of potato starch. 10 µm D. Cls orbital

v, 2000 c ::, u0 Waxy corn starch lOOO """.._,_,Po_ta.,..to.,-st_,ai,,_,·cl...,1,,_.,.,,.__... -Cyclodextrin

Maltose a -0 -Glucose 0+---~------___, 295 290 285 280 Binding energy [eV]

Fig. 2. CJ s narrow spectra of two kinds of starch and related saccharides.

(b) Inner part of potato starch granule. 80 nm D.

4 JIRCAS Research Highlight Assessing Nitrogen Pollution in Chinese Agriculture Kazuyuki Yagi Environmental Resources Division, J!RCAS

China is the largest producer, as well as the largest con­ highly intensive farming of upland crops and vegetables is per­ sumer, of food in the world. The introduction of new technolo­ formed in the suburbs of big cities. 3) Tai-bu region where gies and reform policies has substantially improved food sup­ highly intensive rice-wheat cropping is performed in the lower ply conditions to meet the large demand for grain in this coun­ reaches of Changjiang River. 4) Red soil region where double try. On the other hand, adverse effects of modem intensive ag­ cropping of rice is widely adopted in hilly lands located in the riculture on the environment have recently become apparent subtropical zone. Both field experiments and regional analy­ and the sustainability of land resources and environment has ses are conducted at typical sites of each study area. The field become a cause for concern. Environmental problems due to experiments determine the plant uptake efficiency and envi­ intensive agriculture, such as land degradation, shortage of ir­ ronmental impact of different types and management practices rigation water, and pollution of air and water, have become of nitrogen fertilizers. The regional analyses evaluate the ni­ serious in various parts of China. Many of these problems have trogen balance and its losses to the environment in the region resulted from the use of agricultural land in a manner that over­ by the application of a nitrogen flow model. Combining the loads nutrients, in particular nitrogen. Indeed, consumption of results of the field experiments and the regional survey, the nitrogen fertilizer in China has increased by about 60% during status of nitrogen pollution in each region will be evaluated the last decade and accounted for 23.6 M ton nitrogen in 1995. and alternative management strategies to minimize the impact ( Chinese agriculture must now address serious issues: How large on the environment will be proposed. is the environmental impact of intensive cropping systems? How The project is proceeding and is entering the third year as is the impact changing? What will happen in future? How can planned. Field experiments at Lingxian, Xishan, and Qi yang we mitigate the impact? are currently being conducted. Attempts to analyse regional To answer these questions, JIRCAS launched a 7-years' col­ nitrogen flows are also being made at the corresponding sites. laborative research project entitled "Evaluation and Develop­ For instance, based on a preliminary analysis of the nitrogen ment of Methods for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental flow in Lingxian County, Shandong Province, it was estimated Conservation" with two Chinese research institutes: the Insti­ that the input of nitrogen to cultivated land was, on the aver­ 1 1 1 tute of Soils and Fertilizers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural age, 594 kgN ha- year- , while the output was 265 kgN ha- Sciences and the Institute of Soil Sciences, Chinese Academy year-1 (Fig. 2). These findings indicate that cultivated land in 1 of Sciences since 1997. The project is conducted as one of the this region receives a balance of 329 kgN ha- , annually. A part components under the comprehensive collaborative research of the excess nitrogen flows out to groundwater through leach­ project between JIRCAS and research institutes and universi­ ing, to surface water through runoff, and to the atmosphere ties in China and aims to develop technologies that minimize through volatilization in various forms of gaseous nitrogen. the adverse impact associated with nitrogen fertilization and, The remaining part accumulates in the soil layers. The results at the same time, secure sustainable food production. for Lingxian in this analysis suggested the potential risk of sub­ The project covers four major and remarkable agricultural stantial pollution in the near future. regions in China (Fig. 1): 1) Huang-Huai-Hai plain which is Although increased use of nu11-ients is essential for meeting one of the main maize-wheat production areas distributed in the growing demand of food, it is a double-edged sword. Unless alluvial lands of three large rivers. 2) Jing-Jin-Tang region where nu11-ient supply is managed properly, the contribution to agricul­ tural productivity could be offset by the adverse impact on the environment. This collaborative project may enable to develop environmental conservative agricultural technologies in order to contribute to sustainable development of agriculture in China.

Crop

Chemical Fertilizer Rain Irrigation • Counterpart Institute Unit:kgN/ha/year N Fixation • Field experiment Site Fig. 2. Estimated nitrogen flow in agro-ecosystems ofLingxian, 1997. The value for the flow from accumulation in cul­ Fig. 1. Map showing the study area of the project. tivated land to the environment will be determined from the results of ongoing field experiments. 5 Workshops International Workshop on "Learning from the Farming Systems Research Experiences in Indonesia"

The International Workshop on "Leaming from the Farm­ diverse personal ing Systems Research Experiences in Indonesia" jointly or­ experiences. ganized by JIRCAS and the Center for Agro-Socioeconomic -How can we in­ Research (CASER), the Agency for Agricultural Research and terpret the past Development (AARD), Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of 25 -year history Indonesia, was held in Bogor, Indonesia during the period 3- of FSR in Indo­ 4 March, 1999. nesia? Farming Systems Research (FSR) is a highly controver­ -What are the sial subject. Some critics pretend that it has been proved to be roles and rela- .,. ineffective, while some others tend to criticize the excess ex­ tionships of re- Participants in the workshop pectation from donors and policy-makers and lack of con­ searchers and extension specialists in FSR? sensus among the different actors involved in the FSR activi­ -What are the roles of the social and natural sciences in the ties during the boom period of the 1970s and early 1980s. FS approach? Indonesia was not an exception and hosted a myriad of inter­ -How adequate or inadequate is the institutional framework? nationally funded farming systems projects. Compared to -Foreign assistance in and commitment to FSR: How can these, FSR activities in Indonesia in recent years did not at­ Indonesia use these most effectively? tract the attention of international observers. However, with -Technology in FS approach: assessment of technology vs. the establishment of the Assessment Institutes for Agricul­ technology for assessment tural Technology throughout the country in 1995, it appears Approximately fifty people from Indonesia, Japan, Aus­ that Indonesia has entered another stage of FSR. tralia, and the U.S.A. participated in the workshop. The work­ By combining both historical and up-to-date information shop was successful due to the strong commitment of the regarding FSR experiences within the AARD organizations, experienced staff of CASER. All the participants realized that this workshop contributed to the reconciliation of views be­ the system of FSR still needs improvement and stressed the tween the two extremes, negative or positive, regarding the importance of mutual exchange of information. The Proceed­ benefit of FSR. The participants in the workshop tried to ad­ ings of the Workshop will be published by JIRCAS in 1999/ dress the following key issues from various angles and with 2000. (Junko Goto) "JIRCAS Seminar in Bangkok"

JIRCAS Thailand Office held a seminar entitled "JIRCAS land (NRCT) and International Board for Soil Science Re­ Seminar in Bangkok 1999" on March 3, 1999 at Maruay Gar­ search and Management (IBSRAM). den Hotel in Bangkok. The main purpose of the seminar was After the Inaugural Address delivered by Dr. Ananta to introduce our collaborative research activities to the people Dalodom, Director General of DOA, 19 reports were pre­ who had been concerned about or interested in the activities sented during 6 sessions. In Session 1, an outline of the project ( of JIRCAS in Thailand. This type of seminar was held in on "Sustainable Agricultural Systems in Northeast Thailand" 1994 at the time of the 25th anniversary of the collaboration was given by the project leader Dr. S. Matsui and 3 reports between the research organizations in Thailand and TARC were presented. Technical reports on animal production and (Tropical Agriculture Research Center)/JIRCAS. Therefore, grassland were presented in Session 2. In Sessions 3 and 4, this seminar covered JIRCAS activities in Thailand during nine reports were presented on soils and plant nutrition. Three the past 4 years. reports were presented in the field of fisheries in Session 5. To better understand and overcome agricultural problems In Session 6, 2 reports were presented on plant pathology in Northeast Thailand, JIRCAS initiated a research project and postharvest technology. entitled "Comprehensive Studies on Sustainable Agricultural At the end of the seminar, special comments related to the Systems in Northeast Thailand." Therefore, most of the sci­ activities of JIRCAS in Thailand were made by Prof. Karl E. entists who have been dispatched to Thailand by JIRCAS at Weber, Vice President of AIT, Mr. Chaiyasit Anecksamphant, present are more or less related to the Northeast Thailand Deputy Director-General of LDD, Associate Prof. Supot project except for the collaborative project in the field of fish­ Faungfupong, Vice President of KU, Associate Prof. Anake eries entitled "Studies on the Development of Sustainable Topakngam, Dean of KKU and Ms. Tuenchai Niyamangkoon, Aquaculture Technology in Southeast Asia." Chief of NRCT. There were 150 participants from the Department of Agri­ The proceedings entitled "Highlights of Collaborative culture (DOA), Department of Livestock Development Research Activities between Thai Research Organizations and (DLD), Land Development Department (LDD), Kasetsart JIRCAS" with 58 reports were published by JIRCAS Bangkok University (KU), Khon Kaen University (KKU), Asian Insti­ Office. tute of Technology (AIT), National Research Council ofThai- (Masaaki Suzuki) 6 Collaborative Research Project IRRI-JIRCAS Collaboration within the Framework of the Special Project Funded by the Japanese Government Hiroshi Kato and Motohiko Kondo IRR!, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Background of the project Nutrient-water interaction in upland rice Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sci­ In the last few decades, a remarkable increase in rice yield ences (JIRCAS) and International Rice Research Institute was achieved in irrigated ecosystems in Asia. In contrast, the 1 (IRRI) have been collaborating by assigning Japanese breed­ average yield in the upland areas remains at 1.2 t ha· , a value ers, agronomists and physiologists to IRRI in the Philippines much lower than the average yield of 3.5 t ha·1 in the inigated under a special project funded by the Japanese Government systems. Major factors that limit the productivity of upland since 1984. The first phase of the project covering the period rice include unstable water-availability and low nutrient sup­ 1984 to 1989 dealt with the development of low nitrogen in­ ply. The IRRI-JIRCAS Project seeks to analyse the role of put technology and the identification of genes that conferred the interaction of water and nutrients in determining yield a resistance to various races of the pathogen of bacterial leaf and develop management options for overcoming these two blight disease. The second phase covering the period 1989 to constraints. 1994 dealt with the development of direct seeding technol­ The study focuses on the effect of soil and crop manage­ ogy and study of genetic aspects of rice tungro disease. The ment on the water-capturing capacity of rice roots and the C third phase of the project initiated since December 1994 will improvement of N use efficiency under fluctuating water re­ be terminated in November 1999. Studies on the genetic con­ gime in upland areas. High sensitivity of rice to water stress trol of rice blast and nutrient-water interaction in upland rice can be primarily attributed to the low capacity of shallow roots are being currently carried out. to capture water. After water stress, corn could extract water from lower layers deeper than 60 cm, while 1ice could extract Rice blast it only at a low rate below 40 cm so that the total water uptake Rice blast is a major disease of rice worldwide. For im­ declined rapidly (Fig. 1). It is important to improve the effec­ proving the varietal resistance against rice blast, pyramiding tive rooting zone for water capture by genotypic and environ­ of major genes, accumulation of minor genes, combination mental manipulation. Field experiments in major upland rice of major and minor genes, and development of multilines of areas in the Philippines, Thailand, and India, revealed that major genes are considered to be effective methods. Infor­ the nutrient supply environment for N and P in the surface mation about the genetic constitution of major genes in rice soil may have a significant effect on the water-capturing ca­ cultivars and the pathogenicity of blast isolates is a prerequi­ pacity from layers below the surface through its effect on root site for all these strategies. development and, consequently, on the performance of the Resistance genes of various varieties were estimated based rice plant under stress. This finding implies that the deficiency on their reactions to Philippine blast isolates whose pathotypes in nutrients is likely to enhance water stress. In the course of were confirmed by the use of Japanese differential varieties. the project, a quantitative analysis of the compensating effect Inheritance of blast resistance and allelism tests were also of nutrient input on yield loss due to drought in tropical Asia

) conducted by inoculating BCl2 lines of crosses ofIR variet­ ( ies with C039. Blast resistance genes, Pi b, Pi k-s, Pi a, and La yer Pi 20 were identified in IR24. Pi 20 has been recently identi- fied. The blast resistance gene constitution of IR34, IR36, 0-20cm IR46, IR56, IR60, IR64, and IR74 was determined and the resistance genes of other IR varieties were also estimated 20 - 40cm based on the reaction to Philippine blast isolates. · We are developing lines with a single additional resistance 40 - SOcm gene from crosses with four recurrent parents and over 40

donor parents with blast resistance genes. The lines possess S0 - 80cm the genetic background ofLijiangsintuanheigy (LTH), C039, IR24, and IR49830-7-1-2-2. LTH is ajaponica variety which 80- 100cm does not hai·bor any known rice blast resistance genes. C039 is an indica variety which is expected to harbor a Pi a gene for rice blast. These lines will be used as rice blast differen­ 0 0.5 1. 5 2 2.5 tial systems for the identification of the pathogenicity of blast Water extraction (mm day·1 layer 1) isolates in each country. By using such isolates, the resis­ tance genes of different varieties in the world will be identi­ --

7 is being conducted presently. October 1999 until September 2004. In that phase Japanese To alleviate the scarcity of water which is becoming a se­ scientists will conduct "Physiological and genetic studies on rious constraint on agriculture in the tropics with increasing yield determination and ecological adaptability for sustain­ population, efforts for the improvement of rice production able agriculture." The Japanese scientists are expected to breed under water-limited conditions are considered to be crucial varieties that are resistant to multiple diseases and pests and for maintaining the food security. are environment-friendly and to develop suitable agronomic practices for the new varieties by using DNA marker selec­ The fourth phase tion technology. The fourth phase is under preparation, and it will start in

ICRISAT/JIRCAS International Workshop The International Workshop: Food Security in Nutrient-Stressed Environments: Exploiting Plant Genetic Capabilities The workshop on "Food Security in Nutrient-Stressed En­ uptake and use in terms of suitability for genetic manipula­ vironments: Exploiting Plant Genetic Capabilities" will be tion held at ICRISAT-Patancheru, India during the period of Sep­ • To examine appropriate methodologies for genetic enhance­ tember 27-30, 1999, organized by the International Crops Re­ ment of crop plant ability to absorb nutrients and use them search Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (lCRISAT) and Ja­ efficiently pan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences • To suggest how genetic options can best be combined with Q (JIRCAS). management options to improve nutrient uptake and use ICRISAT has been hosting a Special Project funded by the Government of Japan on "Sustainable Cultivation of Upland The workshop consists of four sessions as follows: Crops in the Semi-Arid Tropics" since December 1984. Dur­ Session 1: Breeding for low nutrient environments: is it sus­ ing the first phase (1984-89), scientists found that pigeonpea tainable? can increase the available phosphorus (P) pool of cropping Session 2: Candidate mechanisms systems in which it is grown by accessing Fe-P via its unique Session 3: Methodology for genetic manipulation of nutrient root exudates. In the second phase (1989-94), root distribu­ availability tion in cropping systems was examined as a prerequisite to Session 4: Combining genetic improvement with natural re­ understanding N acquisition from the soil. The cun-ent phase source management III ( 1994-1999) is examining the physiological and genetic adaptation of crop plants to low-nutrient environments. This workshop is being organized to round off the activities of For further information, please contact: phase III of the project. Dr. J. J. Adu-Gyamfi The objectives of the workshop are: ICRISAT, Patancheru, 502 324 AP, India • To explore the scope for genetic manipulation of the ability Tel +1650 833 6640, Fax +1650 833 6641 of crop plants to gain access to and utilize nutrients (N, P) E-mail: j. [email protected] • To prioritize candidate mechanisms for enhancing nutrient

Kazuyuki TSURUMI, an agricultural economist, became Director of JIRCAS 's International Research Information Division, succeeding Mr. Kunio TSUBOTA who moved to Agricultural and Economic De­ velopment Analysis Division, Economic and Social Department, FAO. Mr. Tsurumi, until recently, was Managing Director, Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Development Study Department, Japan Interna­ tional Cooperation Agency (JICA). He joined the Headquar- ters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan International Research Center (MAFF) in 1974 and mainly worked in the field of interna- for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) tional affairs. During 1986-1991, he served as an agricultural Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and economist at OECD, Paris. Fisheries Editor: Kazuyuki Tsurumi Toshiaki TANIGUCHI, a veterinary pathologist, succeeded As istant Editor: Hiroko Takagi Dr. Mitsugu SHIMIZU as Director of JIRCAS's Animal Pro­ Address: 1-2, Ohwashi, Tsukuba, duction and Grassland Division. Before joining JIRCAS, he lbarak.i, 305-8686 JAPAN was Associate Director for Research, Department of Pathol­ ogy and Physiology, National Institute of Animal Health. Dr. Tel.: +81-298-38-6304 Fax.: +81-298-38-6342 Taniguchi was involved in several JICA's animal health projects in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as a short-term expert. • E-mail: [email protected]